Bunheads

Cast and characters

Sutton Foster portrays Michelle Simms Flowers, a Las Vegas chorus girl who reluctantly marries kindly Hubbell Flowers to escape her life, then begins to enjoy her new life until his death. Kaitlyn Jenkins plays Bettina "Boo" Jordan, Julia Goldani Telles plays Sasha Torres, Bailey Buntain plays Virginia "Ginny" Thompson, and Emma Dumont plays Melanie "Mel" Segal. Kelly Bishop appears as Fanny Flowers, Hubbell's mother. Stacey Oristano plays Truly Stone, Hubbell's former girlfriend, and Liza Weil plays Millicent "Milly" Stone.

Gregg Henry plays Rico, Dendrie Taylor plays Nina, Moises Parra plays Moises, Rose Abdoo plays Sam, Julie Claire plays Anastasia Torres, Ellen Greene plays Fanny's Friend, RaJahnae Patterson plays RaJahnae, Casey J. Adler plays Carl Cramer, Paul James Jordan plays Dez, Zak Henri plays Charlie Segal, Matisse Love plays Matisse, Richard Gant plays Michael, Angelina McCoy plays Talia, Jennifer Hasty plays Nanette, Brad Ellis plays Brad, Alan Ruck plays Hubbell Flowers, Nathan Parsons plays Godot, Garrett Coffey plays Roman, Hunter Foster plays Scotty Simms, Jeanine Mason plays Cozette, Niko Pepaj plays Frankie, Kent Boyd plays Jordan, Victoria Park plays Aubrey, Gabriel Notarangelo plays Josh, Kiersten Warren plays Claire Thompson, Steven Eckholdt plays Grant, and Jayden Maddux plays Dougie. Numerous actors from Gilmore Girls, including Kelly Bishop, Liza Weil, Gregg Henry, and Rose Abdoo, recurred, along with other known actors and Broadway performers. Alex Borstein appears as Michelle's landlord in episode 1 and as Carl's Mother in episode 12. Alex Ko plays Alex in episode 3, Michael DeLuise plays "TJ" as the magician "Jo Jo Deline" in episode 11, Sean Gunn plays Bash in episodes 9 and 17, Chris Eigeman plays Conor in episode 8, Todd Lowe plays Davis in episode 7, Biff Yeager plays Bob in episodes 4 and 15, Linda Porter plays Mrs. Weidemeyer in episode 15, Jon Polito plays Sal Russano in episodes 5, 9, and 16, and Kalani Hilliker plays a dancer.

Production

The series first appeared on ABC Family's development slate in September 2010 under the title Strut, with a cast-contingent pilot order. Lamar Damon wrote the script, and production was originally expected to begin in fall 2010. In September 2011, the series was retooled by Amy Sherman-Palladino, who became executive producer.

ABC had sought a musical series akin to Glee, but Palladino suggested a series set in the ballet world. The pilot was ordered under the new name Bunheads. Broadway star Sutton Foster was cast as Michelle in September 2011.

In February 2012, ABC Family ordered the pilot to series with a ten-episode order, and Kelly Bishop joined as Fanny Flowers. Filming took place in November, with Sherman-Palladino writing and directing. Sam Phillips was announced as the composer in June 2012.

Renewal and cancellation

On August 17, 2012, Bunheads received a renewal for eight additional episodes, returning on January 7, 2013, after Switched at Birth. On June 4, 2013, it was one of 31 productions selected for California's Film and Television Tax Credit, earning $5.82 million to fund a potential second season. On July 4, 2013, the sets were torn down, and ABC Family confirmed the show's cancellation on July 22, 2013.

Reception

Critics gave a very positive reception to the show, praising Amy Sherman-Palladino's distinct writing and the performances of Sutton Foster and Kelly Bishop. Robert Lloyd of the Los Angeles Times called it a cute summer treat with Gilmore Girls charm. Variety's Geoff Berkshire noted the snappy banter and melancholic characters.

The Huffington Post's Maureen Ryan recommended the pilot for its brisk pace and emotional wallops. Vanity Fair's James Wolcott called it a knockout charmer and praised Foster's Carol Burnett-ish flair. Newsday's Diane Werts highlighted the multigenerational tone and Sherman-Palladino's style. HitFix's Alan Sepinwall deemed it a return to form for the creator.

Time's James Poniewozik, while expressing minor concern about the plot, found the first hour enjoyable. Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly said summer TV got dreamier and dancier. On the mixed side, David Wiegand of the San Francisco Chronicle thought the show would take work and could become either annoying or likable.